Full disclosure – I am very easily distracted by any sort of baseball reference, sign, cartoon that I might encounter at any given moment. I could be in the supermarket, uber-focused on my shopping list from Rachel, then hear a “who was that Red Sox hitter that hit a grand slam in his first at-bat,” and I immediately lose focus when the responder replies “was it Jim Rice?” Nooooo, it was Daniel Nava and not only did he do it in his first at-bat, but on the very first pitch. And his jersey number was…see how easily distracted I can get? Now imagine me on a getaway trip to Maine with my significant other, Rachel, and I see a large directional sign that says “The Ballpark, Old Orchard Beach.” Steady now, keep it together!!!
“The Ballpark” hmmm, I am intrigued at this Ballpark which is just merely minutes from where we are going to sightsee. Balance, you have to have balance in your relationship. It can’t be baseball first, wife second. No, no, no. The Ballpark can be researched and investigated after the balance is created with checking out Old Orchard Beach, the amusement park rides, souvenir shoppes, amazing pier, night life, etc. Rachel had the opportunity to shop and visit without interruptions, like me hovering over her, and I took the time to look up the Ballpark online outside the stores on the perfectly positioned benches. Tomorrow is another day and I figured a morning coffee run would be might chance to then run over to The Ballpark! By the way, Old Orchard Beach is absolutely incredible. Highly recommended, tons of shoppes, tons of great views, a town square dedicated to Maine tourism. Top marks, OOB!
Ok, after a great night’s sleep at the Classic Inn up the road in Saco, I headed out to grab coffees, breakfast sandwiches, and to view a piece of Maine baseball history at the Ballpark, Old Orchard Beach. From my cottage, I drove down Ocean Park Rd, onto Route 5, past Fielder’s Choice Ice Cream, then left on Emerson Cummings Blvd where there was a huge park with baseball fields and softball fields as well as Old Orchard Beach High School, then a quick right (you guessed it) Ballpark Way. Ballpark Way led me down to a back dirt parking lot and the Ballpark. I pulled up to a spot, saw that the gates were open, there was a man watering the field, and was excited that I would get a shot to walk around the complex. Here is what I discovered:
In the right field area, what appears to be an old school scoreboard. Meaning, open the door and place a number on the hook to showcase hits, runs, errors, and so on.
I saw this inviting staircase with military recognition banners and walked up into the stadium to get a fan’s view of the field.
Like many stadiums, a commemorative seat was placed in honor of our fallen or missing military heroes. “You are not forgotten” it reads and the plaque was dedicated by Rolling Thunder, Maine Chapter 1.
I took a walk up the steps a bit and took a wide shot of the field. The wooden backdrop and bright blue skies really helped my photography skills on this shot.
I took a few more steps up and saw a landing with some picnic tables. Great spot to watch a game, should you be lucky enough to get a seat facing the game action.
I made my way over to the left field fan area and took a photo of the seats, press box, and seating capacity. Seats were standard fixed, plastic seats a bit worn from the sun, possibly the salt air being so close to the beaches.
The outfield grass, the infield dirt, the foul ball area – all very well groomed and in ready to play condition. I mentioned the man working on the field earlier. I stopped his work to say hello and announce my presence.
As I have for so many baseball fields in my home state of Rhode Island, I like to take a 360° tour of the field. Luckily, there was a path behind the outfield fences where I was able to walk from the left field stands over to the manual scoreboard. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any baseballs (home runs) in the woods. I did see a baseball nailed to the corner of the left field wall, so my baseball at parks that I visit streak is still alive!
Underneath the bleachers on the first base side, there was a batting cage with an L-screen. I note this because this means baseball activities were present not too long ago. Good spot for hitting and getting ready for a game.
The concession stands were closed (obviously) on a Sunday morning so I didn’t get the chance to check out the menu. There were a few stands behind the stadium as well as a ticket office facing the parking lot.
I had a blast walking around the Ballpark on Sunday morning and checking out a real cool old time baseball complex. After grabbing breakfast and a shower, I hopped online to read some of the history of the Ballpark at Old Orchard Beach. It has a rich history of professional baseball in the 1980s, then collegiate baseball, there was talk of tearing the Ballpark down at one point, and then a volunteer resurgence to revitalize it. Here was one of the best media sources I found about its up and down history was from a 2022 article in Saco Bay News and here is the media link – The Ballpark, OOB.
To all the volunteers who are making a positive impact on their community, like those working on the Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach, I commend you. The Ballpark looks fantastic and if I am ever up in that area again and there is a baseball game to attend, I will be there. Just need to go hit a few souvenir shoppes first. Remember folks – Balance is the key to a healthy relationship!!!
The Baseball Storyteller 
What a beauty! Thanks for sharing this.
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